chapter 1chapter 1 embracing the challenge ... figure 1-1as a result of frequent training and...

© 2008 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Chapter 1

Embracing the Challenge


Objectives

• Understand the importance of aircraft rescue

firefighting training

• Understand how all fires and emergencies are

unique, yet alike

• Understand an aircraft accident can happen

anytime or anywhere

• Understand you may be first on scene and, if so,

the initial steps you must take to control an event


Objectives (con’t.)

• Understand various players’ roles during an

aircraft accident

• Understand the different types of aircraft that

may frequent local airports

• Understand applicable regulations for aircraft

rescue firefighting operations


Introduction

• Airplane in flight is a symphony of systems and

subsystems

• The larger the aircraft, the more systems it

requires

• Under stressful conditions, these systems

become dangerous to first responders

– Training is essential to protect rescuers in an

aircraft emergency event


The Importance of Aircraft Rescue

Firefighting Training (ARFF)

• Disaster-response tactics evolve continually

• Continuing education and training with the latest

information is crucial

• Success of skilled responder depends on:

– Planning

– Study

– Regular training


All Fires and Emergencies are Alike,

Yet Unique

• Majority of aircraft accidents contain more

collective and diverse hazards in a concentrated

area than other transportation accidents

• Responders and planners need:

– Fundamental knowledge of aircraft construction

and hazards

– Specialized resources to mitigate dangers

– Fundamental procedures for dealing with aviation

accidents


All Fires and Emergencies are Alike,

Yet Unique (con’t.)

• Preplanning for specific incidents or hazardous

occurrences

– Water or other fire-extinguishing agents

– Crash site and specialized personnel

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and

Guidelines (SOGs)

– Mass casualty incident (MCI)

– Hazardous materials


The Ways in Which Aircraft Accidents

Are Similar to Other Emergencies

• Basic characteristics or phases

– Call for help

– Response to provide assistance

– Situation assessment

– Scene control

– Action

– Termination

– Post-emergency review


The Ways in Which Aircraft Accidents

Are Unique

• Airplanes fires are potentially toxic

• Airplanes carry various contents

– Military: explosive weapons, munitions

– Private/Cargo: carry a wide assortment of

commodities

– Commercial/Passenger: people, baggage,

freight, and parcels


Anytime, Anywhere

• Examples of how the unexpected can occur:

– Large Boeing 767 in Canada

• Plane lost power in both engines

• Emergency landing at an abandoned military

airfield

– Twin-engine DC-9 passenger jet in Georgia

• Hail caused emergency landing on a rural highway

• Plane crashed into a tree and broke apart 81

passengers, 21 survived


Anytime, Anywhere (con’t.)

• Examples (con’t.):

– 30-passenger commuter plane crashed in a

Georgia field

– F-117 stealth fighter crash at Sequoia National

Park, CA

– Air Force U-2 aircraft crashed in downtown

Oroville, CA


Case Study

• Two general aviation (private) airplanes collided

over a remote area of Southern California

– First plane fatally crashed into a grove of trees

– Second plane was struck by the first, ripping the

roof off and breaking the control panel

– Plane landed on a dirt airstrip, due to training

and pre-planning from the pilot

– California Highway Patrol Officers were first at the

scene of both crash sites


Figure 1-1 As a result of frequent training and emergency preplanning, the pilot

of this battered airplane skillfully made a “dead stick” landing on a busy street in a

Midwestern city. Despite the severe damage to the plane, none of the aircraft’s

occupants and none of the people on the ground were injured.


Who is First on Scene?

• First responders (primary responders) are normally law enforcement personnel

• 80% of all aircraft accidents occur in the critical rescue and firefighting access area

– Defined as “the primary response area for airport-based ARFF services”

• 15% of accidents occur in aircraft runway areas

– Community/mutual air fire/emergency response agencies are most likely to be the primary responders


Various Roles at an Aircraft Incident

• First on scene:

– Take command

– Perform a thorough site assessment.

– Gain control of the scene

– Delegate inbound responders (or even

bystanders) to help with plane passengers

– Relocate onlookers and passengers into safe

areas



(con’t.)

• Once inbound responders arrive:

– Perform a transfer of command to a qualified

responder via full face-to-face briefing

– Announce the transfer of command over the radio



(con’t.)

• If command is retained, provide clear and

concise directions to fellow first responders

– Ensure that the scene is preserved

– Keep unauthorized personnel away from the

accident site

– Keep a log of everyone inside the cordon

– Record events and your actions on paper


Aircraft That Frequent Your

Local Airport

• Is your agency close to a military airfield, a

commercial airport, or a private airport?

• Study the basic configurations, hazards and

various aircraft using a flight path above your

community

• Prepare for emergencies and maintain a

Standard Operating Procedure or Standard

Operating Guidelines


Aircraft That Frequent Your

Local Airport (con’t.)

• Reference multiple sources of information

• Learn about all types of aircraft (small, medium,

large) in case of a diversion

• Efficient emergency responders train for:

– Proper fire suppression

– Rescue-extrication

– Incident management


Setting Standards for ARFF Operations

• ARFF has standards requiring specialized skills

and training

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

– Independent, voluntary, and nonprofit

association

– Goal: reduce loss of lives and property from

aircraft emergencies

– Source of research and education for all

subjects relating to fire and its prevention


Setting Standards for ARFF Operations

(con’t.)

• NFPA is composed of various committees including the Aviation Section

– Aviation Section’s Objectives

• Encourage a greater understanding of safety aspects as applied to aircraft and airport facilities

• Creating an environment of mutual understanding and cooperation among the many professional disciplines

• Creating opportunities for leaders to emerge and to attain recognition by their peers through elective office


NFPA Standards

• NFPA 402: Guide for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting

Operations describes operational procedures for both airport and

structural fire departments faced with rescue and fire fighting

responsibilities for non-military aircraft.

• NFPA 403: Standard for ARFF at Airports

– Minimum requirements for ARFF provided at airports

• NFPA 405: Recommended Practice for the Recurring

Proficiency Training of ARFF

– Performance requirements


NFPA Standards (con’t.)

• NFPA 418: Standard for Heliports

– Minimum requirements for fire protection for

heliports and rooftop hangars

• NFPA 422: Guide for Aircraft Accident/Incident

Response Assessment

– Investigation team assistance for information

gathering and in assessing the effectiveness of

aircraft accident/incident emergency response

services



• NFPA 424: Guide for Airport/Community

Emergency Planning

– Describes the elements of an airport/community

emergency plan for before, during, and after an

emergency

• NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter

Professional Qualifications

– Identifies the minimum job performance

requirements for firefighters



• NFPA 1003: Standard for Airport Fire Fighter

Professional

– Outlines job performance requirements

– Specifies age, minimum educational, and medical

requirements in accordance with NFPA 1582

• Federal Aviation Administration: FAR Part 139

– Outlines specific knowledge and skills related to

the aviation firefighting environment


Summary

• Understand aircraft emergencies

– Importance of aircraft rescue firefighting training

– Fires and emergencies

– Unique properties of aircraft accidents

– How aircraft accidents can happen anytime or

anywhere


Summary (con’t.)

• Understand aircraft emergencies (con’t.)

– Initial steps you must take to control the event if

you are the first on scene

– Various players’ roles during an aircraft accident

– Different aircraft that may frequent your local

airport(s)

– Regulations for ARFF operations

chapter 1chapter 1 embracing the challenge ... figure 1-1as a result of frequent training and...

Documents